What is a Box Drum or Cajon?
There is been an incredible surge in interest in box drums lately. You'll see and hear them everywhere in all kinds of music from flamenco to globe to bluegrass, jazz, fusion, pop, rock and hip-hop. American Idol has even featured a percussionist inside the house band who often brings it downstage to accompany an acoustic unplugged efficiency.
So what is a box drum?
Box drums, also popularly recognized by their Spanish name, cajón (pronounced ka - hone) are essentially pretty old. They have been created within the 1700's by African slaves in coastal regions of Peru. As their Spanish overlords forbade them from having any musical instruments, 1 theory is the fact that these instruments were fashioned in the shipping crates and boxes that have been becoming unloaded off ships. Slaves sitting on boxes starting make beats and there you might have a new drum.
The word "cajón" literally translates as drawer in Spanish. So an additional theory is the fact that some enterprising musician pulled out his wooden drawer and started playing beats around the thin wooden bottom surface. What ever the true story is, the box drum has been heard in Peruvian folk music for centuries.
Integration into Flamenco music and beyond
In the 1980's, globe famous flamenco guitarist Paco DeLucia was provided a cajón by a Peruvian maker as a present. DeLucia was fascinated with the sound and had it incorporated into his group. Somewhere along the way, they began experimenting with adding guitar strings operating along the faceplate from the drum. This added a sizzle impact which proved really helpful. By striking distinct regions around the drum you could get a superb facsimile of a complete kit sound with this one particular transportable box! I've heard these drums becoming made use of in jazz, folk, bluegrass and also in music therapy classes and kindergartens.
Design and style
The design and style with the box drum is just about unchanged from days of old. It is a box about 18 inches tall using a square footprint of about one foot by 1 foot. The percussionist sits straddled on the box along with the front surface is struck by the hands. By hitting with unique components from the hand and fingers and in different areas, you can get quite diverse sounds.
Modern Box Drums
Today's cajóns or box drums have began to branch out as modern instrument makers make refinements and innovations. There are actually some that use snare drum wires rather than guitar strings. You will discover some having a pronounced bass impact by adding a front facing bass sound hole. You can find even some which can be played using a bass drum pedal or with brushes.
Why the Surge in Recognition?
The box drum is an desirable selection for percussionists for numerous reasons: portability, versatility, and affordability. You don't have to plug it in and can be utilized even in a street-corner busking situation. And they are inexpensive as well. It is possible to purchase a professionally produced and beautiful wood instrument to get a small over $100! And you can even acquire a kit to make a single for half of that. And along the way, the cajon tends to make a good end table or additional seating within your living room!
For more info click cajon for sale
